Solitude
The trip back to the Hive was completely silent if one doesn't account for the multiple wing flaps, so that allowed Dauber to simply… Think… And she thought, alright… Of many depressing outcomes…
She imagined herself just sitting on her bed at the hive, sighing and peering through the window as she ends up spotting her friends flying after the Seawing princess, not even giving a glance back at the island, at the hive, at Dauber.
Then she imagined herself a year older, looking again through the same window, hoping to see familiar shapes at the horizon, but nobody appeared. And then years passed, Dauber kept growing older and by then her face just had a permanent frown. Slowly creeping towards the window she'd look and… Her friends were not coming back, they were at Pyrrhia, free and probably having done whatever they wanted with their combined smarts and skills. And the little bug they left behind was just an afterthought from the rare times they'd think of when they lived here.
Dauber lightly shook her head, these thoughts would get her nowhere… Surely her friends wouldn't just forget about her for the rest of their lives… Right? They… Won't even get the chance to forget, because she'll join them, Darkstalker will convince her mother and then everything will be… Just fine…
She kept her head low as they approached the hive and landed at the base of the hive, mother still surrounded by her soldiers as they all headed for the entrance. Right behind them and just a couple of seconds later, Darkstalker had landed and walked over there too.
"Dauber," Wasp said with a cold tone, not even turning towards her, and she also didn't even need to say anything else other than her name.
"Yes, mother…" Dauber replied, lowering her head and walking ahead. She's aware that something blocks her mind rather well from Shadowhunter's attempts at spying, and she can also feel when he does it.
But now she tries to open her own mind just slightly to make her most up-front thoughts give the message "Please, convince her…"
An odd yet by this point familiar sensation within her head told the Hivewing that someone had peered and received the message. So after that, and not even daring to give a glance back towards Darkstalker, she entered the hive and flew towards the upper levels.
The new Wasp hive was much smaller compared to the ones they had back at Pantala, or at least that's what some of the other Hivewing residents told her during some of the rare occasions where they even talk to her. This hive counts with merely 5 levels so far, with the 5th one and small part of the 4th being what's currently under construction since the last two years as they're meant to be the best ones when they're done, the palace will be there on the fifth level after all.
The first level at the bottom was meant for non-Hivewing inhabitants. If other dragons wanted to live in the best and most advanced spot in the island, they could pledge their complete loyalty to Wasp and swear on improving the hive, and they'd be allowed as residents. Well, except for Skywings, Wasp really did not trust Scarlet the slightest bit.
Meanwhile the second level was for merchants and trade, where dragons would take from the rather limited yet magically replenished resources of the island for their business. And then the third level was for most Hivewing residents.
So until the palace was actually done and since the roof of the last level was incomplete so it was possible to enter through it, Wasp had taken residence on the 4th level, not in quite a palace yet, but still a well crafted and tall house, the best one in the hive.
And that's where Dauber flew to because she was now grounded, without food for the whole day…
Dauber knew that it was plain obvious she always looked hungry and malnourished… But she just let her friends assume that it was simply her mother being like that.. She just trembled at the idea of telling them that she often doesn't get to eat due to Wasp learning she meets up with them throughout the day, that's why she only can go see them about half as much as she'd like.
And if they learned… She imagined two possibilities: either they'd be mad at her for keeping that secret to herself and then they would leave her… Or their way of showing "pity" is deciding that Dauber shouldn't meet up with them anymore for her health and safety.
The Hivewing shook her head, no… Not happening… She'd rather not eat half of the time than to leave her friends… So this secret, alongside that one other secret of hers… She'll bring them to her grave.
Her stomach grumbled, arguing against this, but she ignored it and slowly laid down on the bed. It took about half an hour, but she finally fell asleep…
She dreamed of that day, two years ago… The day when she met her friends.
Mother had done something surprising that day, she had called for Dauber, gave her some money, and then ordered her to go to the southern town and purchase some meat alongside a few other Hivewings, as they were short on meat at the time.
Dauber had barely got to leave the hive a lot ever since she was born, mother always saying that it's dangerous out there, that other tribes cannot be truly fully trusted, and dealing with them should only be if it is for her and the hive's benefit.
Wanting to please her mother, she took off ahead, she was fast, and so she reached the township after just a little time, with the other Hivewings landing after her, then the small group began to look around the stalls for the merchants selling what they needed.
Dauber reached a side of the township and managed to purchase some meat, and that's when she heard a couple of dragons talking and singing…
She peered around a corner from a house, and there she spotted a Sandwing, a Skywing and a Nightwing close together, with the Nightwing being significantly taller than the others.
And they were seemingly just… Hanging around, laughing and singing, with the Skywing throwing a few jabs at the Sandwing, who returned them with a grin.
As she observed, Dauber had a very odd sensation within her head, as if something rang a mental alarm, but she wasn't able to tell what. Although she was certain that the Nightwing had shifted slightly, but otherwise just kept talking.
She spied on them for a few minutes, feeling curious about this… Why do these three very different dragons look so happy and friendly to each other? They weren't arguing, even when the Sandwing and Skywing threw some blows to each other from time to time while the tall Nightwing chuckled.
But eventually, she saw some Hivewings looking for her, so she quickly backed away from that group of three and headed back with the others who had also purchased some goods.
But even upon returning back home, Dauber just thought more about these dragonets… Are the other tribes residing in the island like that too? Just happily engaging with each other? And despite mother's words… that trio didn't appear to be plotting something dangerous, like against the hive… No, they were just having fun…
A couple of weeks later, she got another chance to check on the township, this time to get wood. There wasn't quite enough on Wasp's side of the island, so it was needed to get it from the Nightwings that sell it. Luckily Darkstalker know that they need it so it seems like he made sure to get some wood gathering done for the Hivewings, so Dauber and a few others will go and retrieve it.
It required a few treks back and forth from the town to the hive, and the Hivewing dragonet could feel the strain on her buzzing wings as she worked, so during the last trip she asked the dragon watching over their work if she could take a short break and it was allowed.
So during that, she looked around town for some time until she heard the voices of that trio, and there they were… She hid behind a house and once more peeked from a corner to look at them with interest, although once more she had that weird feeling in her head.
And after a minute, the Nightwing talked a bit more loudly. "Hey guys, your senses are failing you a little lately."
The Skywing looked truly completely baffled by that, huffing as she looked at the Nightwing with a bewildered expression. Meanwhile the Sandwing raised an eyebrow in a questioning manner.
"Shadowhunter, you better explain yourself now," the red dragon said, leaning closer. "You cannot just go and insult my senses!"
The Nightwing, apparently called Shadowhunter, let out a short laugh and turned his head towards the house. "Well, did you know that we've got a spectator?"
The Skywing's eyes widened as she quickly turned towards where the Nightwing pointed, and so did the Sandwing. Dauber let out a little yelp and quickly pulled her head back.
Immediately after, the strong looking Skywing had rushed over and was now standing right in front of her, eyes staring at her and fangs bared, but the Sandwing just pushed her out of the way.
"Red, where's your manners? You don't just squish a bug without asking a few things first," the Sandwing said, and the Skywing, Red, looked confused.
"Do you talk to any ants you end up squishing under your talons?" She questioned.
"Maybe, maybe not, but a Hivewing is a bit more than just an ant," the Sandwing now said with a shrug.
"Guys, guys, calm down, you're scaring her, look at her many quivering wings," Shadowhunter spoke calmly as he approached.
Dauber's four wings were indeed shaking, as she was scared and uncertain of what these dragonets might do, and she was already thinking of running back to where her tribe is at.
"Forgive them, but don't worry, I won't let them do something to you unless you really trigger them, your tribe and mine are allies after all," Shadowhunter said now.
"You won't "let" us? Seriously?" Red said, squinting her eyes.
"What's your name?" The Nightwing asked with a cordial tone. "Bee? Hornet? Beetle? Toebiter?"
Dauber did a double take on what the large dragon just said, Toebiter? Is that a Hivewing name…?
"Dauber…" She replied slowly, then quickly added for some safety. "Princess… Dauber…"
After she said that, Red let out a surprised huff, the Sandwing looked with great interest, and Shadowhunter smiled.
"Princess? So are you Wasp's daughter?" The desert dragon questioned, curious.
"Yes… Queen Wasp is my mother…"
"Ooh, now this is very interesting, well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Dauber. My name is Shadowhunter, this scary dragon here is Red, and this smooth talker is Condor. Now, can you tell us what you were doing, peeking around the corner and spying on us?" Shadowhunter said in a casual tone, wrinkling his snout, amused.
Dauber remained silent for a few moments, feeling three pairs of eyes focusing on her, she gulped then shakily replied.
"I… Was… Curious?"
"Curious? What could you be curious about?" Red questioned.
"Red, you're underselling us as a group, we're quite amazing, you know," Condor chimed in.
"Hmm, maybe it is due to how "varied" we are?" Shadowhunter guessed with a knowing look, Dauber looked surprised at him and then slowly nodded. "Not used to seeing tribes being this friendly to each other I assume, I get it."
"Are you… Reading my mind?" Dauber asked in an accusing tone, still feeling that odd warning sensation within her head, might it be related?
The Nightwing smirked lightly. "I might be doing that at times, but most of the answer was my own thinking. Aaaanyway, so you live at the hive… That means you must have seen my parents plenty of times."
Dauber tilted her head at the tall dragonet. "Your… Parents?" She asked.
"Yep! I know that they go there a rather good amount," he said with a smirk.
And that's when it clicked for Dauber as her eyes widened in surprise and awe and she let out a gasp.
"You're… You're the son… of Darkstalker and Clearsight…!?" She exclaimed, shocked.
"The same one! So I meant it when I said that it's a pleasure to meet you, my family loves your tribe!" Shadowhunter said, grinning.
"Well, just to let you know, I am a princess too," Red suddenly said, raising her head high and flaring open her wings, and Dauber ended up quite shaken by that.
"You… Are… Scarlet's…?"
"Welp, we're just revealing our titles right now, so I guess I can tell you that my dad's Vulture," Condor mentioned.
"Whaaaat…?" Dauber couldn't believe her ears, this group… How did it even form…?
"Red, you said that so suddenly just to scare her again, didn't you?" Shadowhunter said, shaking his head disapprovingly.
"Maybe I did," Red replied with a smug tone.
"Sorry about that, I know that your mother and Red's are at odds, but let me assure you, Red is a perfectly fine dragon and we can keep her mostly under control," Shadowhunter quickly said.
"WHAT do you mean by that!?" Red snarled and complained.
"See? All good," the Nightwing said with a smirk and Condor chuckled slightly as Red shook her head in disbelief.
"I… See…" Dauber said with some uncertainty, before quickly turning her head back as she realized something. "Oh no… This went on for longer than I expected, the supervisor's going to get angry…"
"Supervisor? You're the hive's princess and you need one?" Shadowhunter asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We're bringing over wood to the hive and I took a short break to spy… Huh, I mean… Watch you, and I don't want to anger my mother," Dauber quickly explained.
"Based on what I've heard of your mom? Yeah I can see that. Well, go along then. And if you ever need some cool dragons to spy on, we hang out reaaaally often," the Nightwing says.
And that's when Dauber felt as if her heart skipped a beat. Did… Did he just basically tell her to find them again, some other time? He… Would be fine with her around?
Shaken by that, the Hivewing took a few steps back, looking at these three, Red, Condor and… Shadowhunter. Then she quickly opened her four wings and took off to the center of the town.
"Wow, that girl's fast," she managed to hear Red mutter as she left.
And that is when Dauber woke up, opening her eyes but remaining stretched on her bed a little longer. That… Was a good dream, a very good one indeed… It filled her with so much nostalgia…
And it also made her think even more about the chance of being left behind after everything…
She slowly stood up and looked through her window, it appeared to be midnight based on the position of the two shining moons, so she slept the entire afternoon and now she didn't feel tired for the night…
Very slowly, she began to fit her thin frame through the window. Mother had grounded her for the day… But if it's midnight, that means it's the next day, so she isn't grounded anymore…
She went through the window and right after she opened her wings and went upwards towards the top of the hive, when she got there she entered through the spot still in construction and reached into the fifth level.
At this time, that level was completely empty of any life, nobody lives on it yet while it undergoes construction, so it had become her favored spot when she wanted to be lost in her own thoughts, or at times like just now… Sing.
All the little bugs must always work for the hive,
live for the hive, die for the hive,
follow and die for the grand queen…
But… There's this feeling inside my heart,
which keeps growing and doesn't go away,
that makes me feel that there's more for me,
with others from outside my tribe…
Dauber slowly walked around the fifth floor, looking at the imposing castle that is halfway done, at each of its sides there were woven tapestries of Queen Wasp, massive, magnificent and overwhelming, with her eyes staring down on whoever looks at the tapestry, and Dauber looked up to these eyes.
Your word is absolute, that's just the truth…
Which makes having all of these thoughts,
all the more daring and unsettling…
Because…
She took a deep breath, opening her wings, she flew towards the unfinished ceiling, holding onto it she looked straight up to the moons with her wings still open behind her.
I don't want to be here forever,
wasting my life under these walls and halls,
while my friends are out there and free…
I don't want to be here forever,
because I want to be forever with them,
together forever, and forever together.
In a world beyond these confines,
somewhere with no hunger,
somewhere we can all be free.
Your word is absolute, that's just the truth,
but beyond that barrier, I know it is merrier,
because out there we can be together,
because together it's sweeter.
Dauber took a bit of a more serious tone after a short pause for her song for the next few verses as she sang a bit slower.
I know there's dangers, with all of your warnings,
with all the trees and their dragons,
but I think I'm willing to take that step,
while my fears are waning.
I don't need anyone else in my life,
I won't be tricked by their lies,
or their false pretenses of love,
all I need is the 4 of us…
Because I want to be forever with them,
together forever and forever together,
because together is sweeter.
Together forever and forever together,
always together, where it's all merrier,
because together is sweeter.
Dauber stopped, taking a deep breath of the cold night breeze, her eyes looking up and down the central mountain where Red and Condor reside, and then in a more longing manner she looked as far as she could, seeing these horrible trees from the opposite side of the island where the Nightwings are settled.
"We'll stick together… We have to…" Dauber whispered to herself as she got off the roof and began to fly back to her window and into her room as she laid down on bed, then once more tried to sleep…
The next morning she woke up again, feeling the sun pouring lightly through the window as she quickly stood up and shakily looked towards the door.
Her mother is most likely in the very next room, having something for breakfast. If Darkstalker convinced her, then this might just be the best morning in her life.
She shuddered when she thought of the opposite result…
Slowly she walked towards the door and opened it, then headed for the dining room where, as expected, Wasp was slowly eating on some sweet honey delicacies.
She didn't even bother looking at her, so Dauber headed for the opposite end of the table, her usual spot, and slowly reached a talon forward to a honey cookie as her stomach was raging, mother didn't stop her so she quickly ate it.
Only after she was done eating the sweet delicacies did Wasp send her gaze towards the dragonet.
"Dauber," Wasp said with her usual serious tone, never showing any hint of affection upon saying that name, as if she were just calling any other troop by their name.
"Yes… Mother…?" Dauber asked, feeling extremely nervous, this had to be it…
"My ally, Darkstalker, shared several arguments for why you should go to Pyrrhia with these… "Friends" of yours," Wasp snarled disapprovingly when she said that last part. "And although I believe that he should focus on his own business, I purely follow reason and logic, so I've decided that you will join with that silly group of dragonets."
Dauber couldn't stop herself and accidentally let a shy smile flash in her face, so Wasp looked at her and then continued with the same tone.
"Maybe then you can do something for your queen once in your life."
Author's note: Dauber desperately needs therapy, and hugs too.